DECATUR -- In the final game of the 2014 football season, the Decatur Bulldogs took on the Leftwich Rattlers in a must-win game Nov. 7 at Bulldog Stadium. When the dust settled, Decatur's last hope of earning a playoff bid was dashed as the Rattlers handed the Bulldogs a 35 to 14 defeat.
Just before the start of the game, nine seniors were recognized for their long-term commitment to the Decatur football program. The first senior introduced was never in the thick of the game but played a vital roll in boosting the spirit of the fans and players alike, pep band member Ger Vang. The remaining seniors gave their all for the Decatur football team, many playing since the ninth grade. They included Hector Aquilar, Joey Barnes, Jesse Bruce, Allan Castaneda, Brody Funk, Tony Mendoza, Eddie Lucio and Victor Urquidi.
Decatur was the first to score when Allan Castaneda made a 20-yard run into the end zone at the 7 minute, 31 second mark in the first quarter. The Bulldogs also scored on their next possession with a 31-yard quarterback keeper by Victor Urquidi at the 4 minute mark.
But just as the buzzer sounded, marking the end of the first quarter, Leftwich running back Billy Yang, on a one-yard run put the Rattlers on the score board. The quarter ended with a 14 to 7 Bulldog lead.
In the second quarter, both defenses held strong until Leftwich scored late in the quarter on a run by Billy Yang, tying up the game, 14 to 14, before the teams went to the locker room at the half.
The tide turned against the Bulldogs in the second half when the Rattlers struck three more times. Billy Yang scored early in the third quarter to give Leftwich the lead. Two more touchdowns, one by Caleb Shelton and the other by Cheenaw Yang in the fourth quarter sealed Decatur's fate as they fell, 35 to 14.
"We started well," Shane Holland, Decatur head coach, said. "We were looking good offensively and defensively and we were stopping them. Then they began a drive and gained momentum and began to play with more emotion. They were really big and, at that point, we couldn't stop them."
Several injuries plagued the Decatur team during the game, including the persistent ankle injury of Victor Urquidi. Urquidi sustained an ankle injury during the third play of the Hartford game back on Sept. 12 that kept him benched for the next four games. He played sporadically through the remainder of the season with his best performance during last week's game against Union Christian.
"Injuries just decimated us this season," Holland said. "We had a lot of hopes going in. Those kids prepared hard through the summer and did everything they were asked to do to give themselves a chance."
"You have a chance to be good if you can stay injury free," Holland added. "We didn't; We were beat up from the get go. There isn't a lot we can do about it."
The Bulldogs finished the season with a 3 and 7 overall record and 3 and 5 in conference play.
The junior high team traveled to Magazine to play Leftwich Nov. 6 and won their game 14 to 6. They also tied Union Christian 14 to 14 the week before.
With the end of the football season comes the beginning of the 2014-15 basketball season. It begins for the senior boys Nov. 20 when they travel to Oaks, Okla. For a complete basketball schedule, go to decatursd.com/athletics.
Sports on 11/12/2014